The rehabilitation center for internationalist soldiers in Vitebsk has returned to its normal operating schedule
It is the only one in the country. With a special focus. For a quarter of a century now, the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Center for Medical Rehabilitation for Disabled and Veterans of Combat Operations in Other States has been restoring the health of former soldiers and officers, as well as their family members. Patients come here from all over Belarus. Now, during the pandemic, it is also not standing aside.
At the reception is Afghan war veteran Nikolai Kuklin.
— During periods of exacerbation of the epidemiological situation, we, like other medical institutions in the region, re-profile the hospital to admit patients with coronavirus, — says **Vladislav Muzhichenko, the chief physician of the center.** — *During this wave, we treated COVID pneumonias from September 10 to November 22: 90 beds were deployed at the center, including 30 oxygen points.*
Vladislav Anatolyevich notes that they worked closely with infectious disease specialists and resuscitators from VGMU. This is an established system — nothing unusual. Before returning to the front line (about six months have passed since the previous mobilization), the center organized seminars. Medical staff were familiarized with updated treatment protocols, practiced the skills of strict adherence to sanitary and epidemiological regulations in the red zone again, and established convenient patient flow management.
— Specialists from the university, leading infectologists of the region, were constantly in touch with us, consulted, and conducted ward rounds together, — the head introduces the methods of operational interaction. — We have 12 doctors on staff: rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, neurologists, psychologists... But over the past two years, each of them has also become an infectious disease specialist and pulmonologist in parallel, so we met the fourth wave of coronavirus in full combat readiness. Fortunately, there are constantly updated effective recommendations from the Ministry of Health, appropriate treatment protocols, and sufficient protective equipment and medications.
Now veterans and their family members are recovering their health here.
The staff of the rehabilitation center discharged the last patient who had pneumonia just two days ago, and now they are actively admitting veterans of military operations for treatment. Of course, the reversal of specialization was preceded by large-scale disinfection of the premises — it was carried out by specialists from the sanitary and epidemiological service.
Head of the Department Irina Krivoshey counts:
— Within the first three hours of work on the regular schedule, we took in about 30 people for rehabilitation based on referrals from district polyclinics. They come not only from the Vitebsk region but also from Minsk, Gomel, and other regions. In a couple of days, we will fill all 100 beds.
While some are being registered at the reception, others are already visiting the treatment rooms.
Nikolay Kuklin came from Novopolotsk — his 14-day stay at the rehabilitation center is scheduled by the hour. Medications, injections, massages, physical therapy, balneotherapy.
Vladislav Muzhichenko and Irina Krivoshey.
— I spent two years in Afghanistan, serving as a military advisor to one of the regiments, — says the veteran. — I was wounded. Here, at the center, I am undergoing treatment for the fourth time. I used to come with my wife, but now, alas, my spouse is no longer alive... I am grateful to the local doctors: both their attitude and the treatment are excellent. It's true, I had to wait a few months for planned hospitalization, but I perfectly understand — these are difficult times.
In just a month, the rehabilitation center, which annually admits over 2500 people for treatment, will celebrate a housewarming — another building will be commissioned. And this means an additional 70 beds for those who cannot do without medical assistance today.